Volume LXIX, No. 38 | September 22, 2019
Worship at First
Sunday, September 22

Morning Worship
8:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Your Gifts Are Meant for Others"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas

Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
"The Prodigal Son"
Dr. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer
Sanctuary


Bulletins will be available by noon on Fridays.

Wednesday, September 25

Wednesdays@First
Wednesdays at Noon
Jackson Hall
"Elijah at Carmel"
Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas


Centerpoint
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Jackson Hall
Angry & Afraid
"Running on Empty"
Rev. Josh Squires





Reaching the World from Home

This article is part of a series featuring local missions that are supported by First Presbyterian Church. You can find out more about our local missions by visiting our website: firstprescolumbia.org/localmissions

Have you ever had an interest in foreign missions but felt that the timing was not right or your current responsibilities prevented you from going? Perhaps you find the whole idea intimidating — raising support, packing up home and family, learning a new language, moving to an unfamiliar culture. Perhaps you have concluded that your role in the Great Commission is limited to giving financially and praying for those who go (as good and essential as those things unquestionably are). 

Well, because of his great love for the nations, God has brought the mission field to us here in Columbia through international students — almost 2,000 are currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina. They have come from 96 different nations. In their minds, they have come to study and obtain a diploma in order to improve their prospects of getting a good job upon their return home. We understand, however, that it is God himself who has brought them, “having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God…” (Acts 17:26-27). Reaching them would not require you to uproot your life, leave your family, or even learn a foreign language (they are eager to learn English). It will cost you something though: a little of your time, a sacrifice of your convenience every now and then, and a little space in your heart as you make room for them in your life.

You could do this! If you are interested, please contact Rev. Scott Andes at scott.andes@ruf.org or by calling (803) 261-4241. Consider joining us for a weekend retreat at Bonclarken, September 27-29. If you cannot stay the weekend, perhaps you could help drive some students there on the 27th and/or bring them back on the 29th. There are new opportunities for involvement each week. And your impact on them, by God’s grace, could last for eternity.

Rev. Scott Andes
Campus Minister with RUF International at USC
Operation Christmas Child 2019

We have set up our OCC shoebox table in the Atrium with shoeboxes and brochures. Packed boxes need to be returned to the Atrium by Sunday, November 10. If you would prefer to donate toward shipping costs for the boxes, please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church, noting OCC on the memo line. 

If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Shealy at bshealy@firstprescolumbia.org or
799-9062, Ext. 261.
Lifelong Learning Series
Friday, October 4,
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 
Wardlaw Auditorium  

Lifelong Learning Series offerings are for all members of First Presbyterian Church and their guests. There is no cost. Registration is available on the church website and app. 

October 4 topic: Medicare Benefits Overview followed by Q&A with Crystal Strong from the South Carolina Department on Aging

Foster Care Resource Closet Needs

Thank you for your many kind donations and your continued support of the Foster Resource Closet. During the months of September and October, we will only be accepting donations of all sizes of diapers, packages of new underwear, packages of new socks, and pajamas. After October, we will post our needs regularly at the Resource Closet.
Special Needs Basketball Bonanza
Saturday, September 28
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Family Life Center

Contact Jimmy Easterby at 799-9062, Ext. 255, or email Robin Hunter at rhunter@firstprescolumbia.org to sign up or volunteer.
Basketball League Registration

Registration for the 2019-2020 CYBL Basketball League has opened. Visit the church website for more information and to register. 
Church Family
Congratulations to:
Grace and Christopher Corbin on the birth of their son, Carson Bryan Corbin, on August 13.
Laurie and Dan Cannon on the birth of their granddaughter, Isla Marie Cannon, on September 6. Grateful parents are Christina and Clay Cannon and grateful great-grandmother is Jewel Cannon. 
Jim and Phyllis Sweatt on the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on September 21. 
Christian sympathy is extended to: 
The family of John Nates on the death of his sister, Sherrill Painter, of Chapin on September 16.
Items for Church Family or People for Prayer?
Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org 
or 799-9062, Ext. 244.
September Events at First
Committee meetings:
              23           Session - 5:30 p.m. in P402
20-22   High School Fall Retreat at Bonclarken Conference Center
24         Men’s Foundry Kick-off Breakfast - 7:00 a.m. in Jackson Hall
              Encouragers’ Lunch - 11:00 a.m. - meet in FLC parking lot to carpool to Grecian
Gardens.
              Women’s Foundry Kick-off Dessert - 7:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall
28 Special Needs Basketball Bonanza - 9:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center
27-29 RUF International Retreat at Bonclarken Conference Center
29 College Lunch - 12:30 p.m. in Jackson Hall . College students are invited to bring their family to this free Parents’ Weekend College Lunch.
October Events at First
1 WOC Board Meeting - 10:00 a.m. in B201
Young Professionals Tuesday Gathering - 6:30 p.m. off-site
4 Lifelong Learning Series - 9:30 a.m. in Wardlaw Auditorium. This month’s topic is Medicare Benefits Overview.
First Fridays Organ Concert - 12:00 p.m. - Lunch in Jackson Hall; 12:30 p.m. - Organ Concert in the Sanctuary. Cost is $5.00 for lunch. Guest organist, Vince Treadway, will be performing.
5 Parenting Conference - 5:00 p.m. in Jackson Hall . Dr. Mark Ross will be speaking on “Becoming the Family of God.” Cost is $7.50 for individuals and $15.00 for couples. Please register online or on the church app.
6 Uganda Mission Trip Informational Meeting - 7:15 p.m. in the Frank C. Hill World Missions Center

For more information on any upcoming events, please check our website at firstprescolumbia.org or our church app.
803-799-9062 | email | website | app